White Lion Parade – Progressive Post-Rock Via Bristol.
White Lion Parade – Bristol, England, United Kingdom.
Bristol boys White Lion Parade were my first introduction to the genres of Post-Rock and Post-Metal and have kept my hearing in good company ever since.
That first gig in a tiny underground bar/lounge in the city of Bath in England was nothing short of fantastic. It was also the first time we as a unit discovered Frome’s two-piece Punks, Ghost Of The Avalanche, who you may well know by now.
Back to WLP however, they really are a true and shining example of the fantastic underground UK Rock and general music scene we have right now and not a band to ignore.
Far reaching, huge, melodic, epic, atmospheric, ambient – these are all words you can use to describe the Bristol three-piece and rightly so.
Post-Rock for those who are unfamiliar, is usually almost either completely devoid of vocals or resigned to a particular style and even that can be lower in quantity. WLP do make use of soundbites and distant, vocal harmonies like many Post-Rock bands but with a difference.
‘Through Everything’ is a good mix of the aforementioned “token” sound and a more vocal led composition but at the same time, the band’s sound goes far further.
A significant influence from Post-Hardcore and Post-Metal cascades down into the mix, particularly in the heavier screamed vocals and heavier break-down-esque instrumentals.
Influences : ‘Vex Red, Deftones, Nirvana, Rinoa, Envy, DSHS, The Who‘
The bonus track from 2013’s The Valley EP, ‘Battle Of The Sea’ is a particularly excellent example of one-side of the band’s Progressive Post-Rock repertoire.
Click Here to listen and follow the BigCartel link at the bottom of the page to purchase the Deluxe Edition The Valley EP on cassette tape, which comes with an accompanying download card.
For me however, it is always the heavier and darker ‘Stars’ and the and soaring melodies and relentless (for Post-Rock) drumming of ‘Sirens Scream’ that bring me back to the band.
Live, I’ve been lucky enough to see the band twice and although that doesn’t seem much, as I have missed a few gigs, the quality of the live performance really makes up for it. It’s almost exactly as I’ve described above, soaring and epic in reach and volume.
With music that sits perfectly in the background while reading, while I’m writing this and traversing digital landscapes in some fantasy epic, WLP should probably start writing film and game sound tracks.
Here’s one more before we go, don’t forget to follow all the links at the bottom for all your White Lion Parade needs.
- Facebook and Twitter for your updates.
- For listening head to bandcamp, SoundCloud and their Youtube Channel.
- For the bands music, both FREE and cheap and tasty Merch, head to bandcamp and BigCartel.
#StayFresh
